Meet the Ecotopian Toolmakers: A Q+A with Richard Hamilton

Richard Hamilton’s ecotopian tool, Auscultation Points, is an audio soundscape that, like its namesake, will provide a diagnostic. However— instead of diagnosing an ailment within a human body, it will use advanced audio recording and editing techniques to provide the opportunity to listen closely to and meditate on the ecosystems at Morris Arboretum & Gardens.

We hope you’ll join us for Richard’s workshop on Saturday, June 15 from 10 AM - 1:30 PM at Morris! Learn more on our events page.

PPEH: Briefly introduce yourself— Where are you from, what kind of work do you do, and what role you play in this project?

Richard Hamilton: I am from Philadelphia, PA and I am a sound designer and sound mixer primarily working in the film/tv/commercial industry. On this project for the Ecotopian Toolkit, my role on will be the lead sound designer and final mixer, as well as one of the sound recordist collecting the sounds from the field.

PPEH: Tell us a little about your tool (The title, medium, and a brief description of its use and goals). How does your tool inspire and empower human visitors to support multispecies flourishing?

RH: My tool is called Auscultation Points, it is essentially the sonification of the Morris Arboretum. We will use sound recording techniques and our knowledge and expertise in film/tv mixing to create a soundscape that reflects the beauty of this specific place while also highlighting man's encroachment on the natural world and what we stand to lose if we don’t change course. I hope by enveloping the listener with the power of sound, that they can have a transportive experience that allows them to understand and feel the full extent of what can be lost.